Configure Print Parameters

Before setting the print parameters, add a new printer by clicking the add button on the machine management bar located at the bottom of the main window. Choose a printer brand to expand the available printers, and then select the printer you want to add. Click the Next button to add the printer.

You can then configure print parameters for the added printer. One printer can have multiple profiles, which you can manage in the Profile Panel.

In the Profile Panel you can download profiles (from RMA or custom library), upload all profiles (to custom library), add a profile, import profiles (from local), export all profiles (to local).

By hovering each configuration's menu icon , you can see the available operations for the configuration, including upload, rename, export, reset, delete.

Machine

Here you can configure the printer's basic information, including the printer's name, machine resolution, dimensions, etc.

Name

The printer's name, editable, printer model type by default.

Type

The model of the printer, not editable.

Mirror

Exposure image mirror mode. You do not need to change this setting in most circumstances unless you are using the default printer type (Other > default).

Resolution and Size

The resolution and size of the print screen. You do not need to change this setting in most circumstances unless you are using the default printer type (Other > default).

The Link/Unlink buttons allow you to link/unlink the size and resolution or X and Y. Any linked value will be updated automatically when the other value is changed.

If dimensions are not linked to the resolution (resolution stays unchanged), the smaller the screen size, the larger the actual print will be, and vice versa.

WARNING

The resolution must match the actual resolution of the printer, otherwise the printer might report an error.

Build Area Offset

The offset of the build area. Enabling this option allows the adjustment of the offset to the edge of the print screen. Offset areas will not print. This option can be used to avoid bad points on the edge.

Resin

Here you can configure data for the resin you are using, including the resin's name, type, density, unit price, etc. CHITUBOX will use this information to calculate the resin usage and cost.

Print

NOTE

Not all printers support Resting Time waiting mode. Read the 📃full compatibility list here.

Parameter	Explanation
Layer Height	Thickness of each layer printed
Bottom Layer Count	Number of layers at the beginning of the print. The Bottom Exposure Time applies to the first number of layers set by this parameter
Exposure Time	Exposure time of normal print layers
Bottom Exposure Time	Set the exposure time of the bottom layers. Increasing the exposure time of the bottom layers helps to increase the bond strength between the printing model and the printing platform
Transition Layer Count	The number of transition layers between the print bottom layers and the normal print layers. When printing in transition layers, the exposure time will decrease with the increase of printing layers. Other printing settings in the transition layers are the same as normal layers.
Transition Type	Set the transition type of the exposure time for the transition layers.
Waiting Mode During Printing	Resting time (recommended) Rest Time Before Lift: A time interval between light-off and the build plate starts to lift. Rest Time After Lift: A time interval between the build plate lifts to the Lifting Distance and starts to retract. Rest Time After Retract: A time interval between the build plete retracts to the lowest point and light-on. Light off delay (legacy mode) Light-off delay is the total time of build plate lifts up, wait, and retract. Light-off Delay: Light-off delay for normal layers, Actual machine light-off time = maximum (total time of Z-axis up and down movement, configured light-off delay) Bottom Light-off Delay: Light-off delay for bottom layers, Actual machine light-off time = maximum (total time of Z-axis up and down movement, configured light-off delay)
Bottom Lift Distance	The distance of the printing platform moves away from the printing surface each time during bottom layers printing process.
Lifting Distance	The distance of the printing platform moves away from the printing surface each time during normal layers printing process.
Bottom Retract Distance	The distance of retract, leave it alone unless you have sufficient reason during bottom layers printing process.
Retract Distance	The distance of retract, leave it alone unless you have sufficient reason during normal layers printing process.
Bottom Lift Speed	The speed of the printing platform moves away from the printing surface each time during bottom layers printing process.
Lifting Speed	The speed of the printing platform moves away from the printing surface each time during normal layers printing process.
Bottom Retract Speed	The speed of the printing platform moves to the printing surface each time during bottom layers printing process.
Retract Speed	The speed of the printing platform moves to the printing surface each time during normal layers printing process.

TSMC (Two-Stage Motion Control)

There are two sets of lifting and retracting parameters in the print settings, where you can set up TSMC.

When the build plate starts lifting with the model, the FEP film at the bottom of the resin vat will pull down the newly solidified layer until it is detached from the layer. This is called the "suction effect". The suction effect is more prominent when the contact area with the FEP film is large and when the build plate pulls away at higher speeds. The suction effect can cause the model to deform, and even cause the model to fall off the build plate. We recommend keeping the lifting speed slow until the model is detached from the FEP film. As the suction effect is no longer a concern, speeding up the lifting speed afterwards can improve the printing efficiency. The principle acts similarly in the retracting stage.

You can adjust the following parameters below to get familiar with TSMC.

GCode

WARNING

Do not edit anything here if you don't know what you're doing.

NOTE

Only .zip and its derived formats (ex. .cws) support Gcode editing.

Advance Settings

Bottom Light PWM

Light PWM for bottom layers, ranging from 0 to 255 or from 0% to 100%, controls the power of the UV light source for bottom layers.

Light PWM

Light PWM for normal layers, ranging from 0 to 255 or from 0% to 100%, controls the power of the UV light source for normal layers.

Picture Grayscale

Picture Grayscale is similar to Light PWM, ranging from 0 to 255. But picture Grayscale controls the light transmittance of the LCD screen Instead of the power of the UV light source.

Anti-Aliasing

There are two anti-aliasing modes: Gray Scale Level and Anti-aliasing Level (legacy).

Gray Scale Level

This mode is designed for the .ctb format.

Parameters	Description
Grayscale level	Range: `0` ~ `255`. `0` stands for black, `255` stands for white. Determines the gray range available for anti-aliasing.
Image Blur Pixel	Available values: `2` ~ `8`. Determines the number of pixels for edge transition. A higher value setting results in softer edges. It is similar to the feather function in Photoshop.

Anti-aliasing Level

This is the legacy mode, designed for the .cbddlp format only.

Parameters	Description
Anti-aliasing Level	Available values: `2`, `4`, `8`. It determines the edge exposure time. The higher the level you select, the longer the exposure time, resulting in sharper edges and decreasing the anti-aliasing effects.

Shrinkage Compensation

Model shrinkage compensation in the X, Y, and Z directions as a percentage of the original model size. The default value is 100%.

Large percentage value results in larger model entities and vice versa.

Tolerance Compensation

Inner and outer diameter compensation of normal printing layers.

When a is larger, the inner diameter is shorter, and the model body is larger.

When a is smaller, the inner diameter is longer, and the model body is smaller.

When b is larger, the outer diameter is longer, and the model body is larger.

When b is smaller, the outer diameter is shorter, and the model body is smaller.

Bottom Tolerance Compensation

Inner and outer diameter compensation of bottom printing layers. This setting is often enabled to address the "elephant's foot" issue.

When a is larger, the inner diameter is shorter, and the model body is larger.

When a is smaller, the inner diameter is longer, and the model body is smaller.

When b is larger, the outer diameter is longer, and the model body is larger.

When b is smaller, the outer diameter is shorter, and the model body is smaller.

NOTE

When the bottom layer tolerance compensation is disabled, the normal layer tolerance compensation will be effective for the whole model.
Bottom Tolerance Compensation only applies to bottom layers. Enabling both layer transition and Bottom Tolerance compensation can lead to unexpected printing results.

Set Transition Layer Only

Enabled Bottom Tolerance Compensation Only

Enabled Both Transition Layer And Bottom Tolerance Compensation

Print Time Compensation

Some high-resolution printers can have extra delays when loading data and will lead to inaccurate printing time estimation. You can set up a time compensation to improve the issue.

Manual Input Layer Print Time Compensation: a 2-digit number between -99.99 and 99.99, with default set at 0 s. When enabled, the Estimated Time For A Single Layer = Exposure Time + Waiting Time + Movement Time + Layer Print Time Compensation
Auto Generation

$\text{Layer Print Time Compensation} = \frac{\text{Actual Printing Time} - \text{Software Forecast Time}}{\text{Layer Count}}$